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Post subject: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:02 pm
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Hi guys, I have a 1966 (or '65) Bandmaster and I have not been able to find a foot switch that fits it. The std Fender switch with the "phone jack" is too big and the RCA jack is too small. Someone told me that for a few years in the '60's Fender used a proprietary-sized connector for this type of foot switch. What's the story and where can I get one?
Thanks, :)
Jake


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:41 pm
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Only picture will help to find the right connector.

I always see RCA jack on these amp. I never heard or see another jack on vintage amps.
Maybe it is a mod.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:06 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
I always see RCA jack on these amp. I never heard or see another jack on vintage amps.


+1

Whoever told you something to the contrary is jerkin' your gherkin.

The standard footswitch for an AB763 or later Bandmaster has always been connected to the amp via an RCA phono plug.

Some previous owner has monkeyed with your amp.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:18 am
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jburrus, fix the hole if you can and put RCA.

Show us some pictures too.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:26 am
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stratele52 wrote:
jburrus, fix the hole if you can and put RCA.


+1

Assuming that the hole hasn't been enlarged, the job should only take about twenty minutes.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:36 am
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I'll send a pic. Doesn't look like it's been disturbed. I know a phone jack won't even go in and an RCA jack wobbles around and does not trigger the tremolo like it should. the way I've understood it, the tremolo doesn't even work unless the footswitch is plugged in.
It will be this weekend before I can post the picture however.
thanks :)
The footswitch I have has a phone jack (same size as instrument cable). Could I replace the jack that is there for a phone jack? The receptacle itself looks just like a female phone jack.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:57 am
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Your footswitch cable has a plug at the end, not a jack.

:wink:

If you are familiar with and skilled in soldering, you can easily replace the ¼" phone plug with an RCA phono plug when you replace the jack on the amp.

And your assumption about the tremolo circuit is correct -- a footswitch (or shorting plug) is required to turn the tremolo on.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:34 pm
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OK, the "plug" on my foot switch is definitely a "phone plug" (the bigger of the two). It is a one button foot switch that is round (not oblong) and has "Fender" written on it. Do you know how it works and if it will work with this amp if I change the "jack" to a phone jack?
thanks :)
BTW, I'll post a picture.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:45 pm
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jburrus wrote:
OK, the "plug" on my foot switch is definitely a "phone plug" (the bigger of the two). It is a one button foot switch that is round (not oblong) and has "Fender" written on it. Do you know how it works and if it will work with this amp if I change the "jack" to a phone jack?
thanks :)
BTW, I'll post a picture.



It should work if push button is push ON / push OFF. Not momentary one.
If you ear a click, pedal switch look to be the right one.

I'll go to RCA plug and jack to keep this great amp original


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:52 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
I'll go to RCA plug and jack to keep this great amp original


+1

Fender's original one-button footswitch to enable a tremolo circuit has a round steel housing, black-enameled up to circa 1970 and chrome-plated after that. The only Fender logo on it is located on the removable bottom cover, embossed directly into the plastic.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 6:57 am
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:D Thanks everyone for the advice! I will be home this weekend so will take another close look and some pics of both the plug(s) and the jack.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 8:40 am
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If you have the non-'verb BF or SF era Bandmaster, the footswitch and plug should look something like this.

Image


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:22 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
If you have the non-'verb BF or SF era Bandmaster, the footswitch and plug should look something like this.

Image


No......it should look EXACTLY like that. Chrome finish for those amps built after 1970, black enameled for earlier editions.

During the "blonde w/brownface" era, the housing was brown as was the plastic cover on the bottom. The cable's neoprene jacket was gray or silver-gray.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:05 am
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:oops: Gosh guys, can't remember how or why I thought an RCA plug would not fit but it does. My deepest apologies for wasting your time.


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Post subject: Re: Bandmaster Tremolo
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:25 am
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Glad you got it sorted out.

Arjay

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